Chapter XXI · The Land of the Philistines.--Samaria and Its People

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The inhabitants are a mixed lot, as they include, besides the regular hash of Moslems, Christians, and Jews, a colony of Egyptians brought here by Ibrahim Pasha.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The ruins show that the place was once important, and the guides point out the old cemetery, at whose gate the miracle is located.

a relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter)

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

any cognitive content held as true

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

in addition to; as well as

From this reading The inhabitants are a mixed lot, as they include, besides the regular hash of Moslems, Christians, and Jews, a colony of Egyptians brought here by Ibrahim Pasha.

plural of “blessing” — the formal act of approving

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading The inhabitants are a mixed lot, as they include, besides the regular hash of Moslems, Christians, and Jews, a colony of Egyptians brought here by Ibrahim Pasha.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A RIDE of less than an hour from Endor takes us to Nain, the “City” of Christ’s time, but now a small village.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The inhabitants are a mixed lot, as they include, besides the regular hash of Moslems, Christians, and Jews, a colony of Egyptians brought here by Ibrahim Pasha.

a tract of land used for burials

From this reading The ruins show that the place was once important, and the guides point out the old cemetery, at whose gate the miracle is located.

plural of “century” — a period of 100 years

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

possessive form of “christ” — a teacher and prophet born in Bethlehem and active in Nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for Christianity (circa 4 BC - AD 29)

From this reading A RIDE of less than an hour from Endor takes us to Nain, the “City” of Christ’s time, but now a small village.

plural of “christian” — a religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination

From this reading The inhabitants are a mixed lot, as they include, besides the regular hash of Moslems, Christians, and Jews, a colony of Egyptians brought here by Ibrahim Pasha.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading The inhabitants are a mixed lot, as they include, besides the regular hash of Moslems, Christians, and Jews, a colony of Egyptians brought here by Ibrahim Pasha.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

treated with dislike or contempt

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

plural of “egyptian” — a native or inhabitant of Egypt

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A RIDE of less than an hour from Endor takes us to Nain, the “City” of Christ’s time, but now a small village.

capable of reproducing

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A RIDE of less than an hour from Endor takes us to Nain, the “City” of Christ’s time, but now a small village.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading The ruins show that the place was once important, and the guides point out the old cemetery, at whose gate the miracle is located.

plural of “guide” — someone employed to conduct others

From this reading The ruins show that the place was once important, and the guides point out the old cemetery, at whose gate the miracle is located.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

chopped meat mixed with potatoes and browned

From this reading The inhabitants are a mixed lot, as they include, besides the regular hash of Moslems, Christians, and Jews, a colony of Egyptians brought here by Ibrahim Pasha.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading The inhabitants are a mixed lot, as they include, besides the regular hash of Moslems, Christians, and Jews, a colony of Egyptians brought here by Ibrahim Pasha.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading A RIDE of less than an hour from Endor takes us to Nain, the “City” of Christ’s time, but now a small village.

the first of the Old Testament patriarchs and the father of Isaac; according to Genesis, God promised to give Abraham's family (the Hebrews) the land of Canaan (the Promised Land); God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son

From this reading The inhabitants are a mixed lot, as they include, besides the regular hash of Moslems, Christians, and Jews, a colony of Egyptians brought here by Ibrahim Pasha.

of great significance or value

From this reading The ruins show that the place was once important, and the guides point out the old cemetery, at whose gate the miracle is located.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

have as a part, be made up out of

From this reading The inhabitants are a mixed lot, as they include, besides the regular hash of Moslems, Christians, and Jews, a colony of Egyptians brought here by Ibrahim Pasha.

plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place

From this reading The inhabitants are a mixed lot, as they include, besides the regular hash of Moslems, Christians, and Jews, a colony of Egyptians brought here by Ibrahim Pasha.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The ruins show that the place was once important, and the guides point out the old cemetery, at whose gate the miracle is located.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

possessive form of “jacob” — French biochemist who (with Jacques Monod) studied regulatory processes in cells (born in 1920)

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

plural of “jew” — a person belonging to the worldwide group claiming descent from Jacob (or converted to it) and connected by cultural or religious ties

From this reading The inhabitants are a mixed lot, as they include, besides the regular hash of Moslems, Christians, and Jews, a colony of Egyptians brought here by Ibrahim Pasha.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

leader of the Nez Perce in their retreat from United States troops (1840-1904)

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

moving slowly and gently

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading A RIDE of less than an hour from Endor takes us to Nain, the “City” of Christ’s time, but now a small village.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading The ruins show that the place was once important, and the guides point out the old cemetery, at whose gate the miracle is located.

(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading The inhabitants are a mixed lot, as they include, besides the regular hash of Moslems, Christians, and Jews, a colony of Egyptians brought here by Ibrahim Pasha.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

any amazing or wonderful occurrence

From this reading The ruins show that the place was once important, and the guides point out the old cemetery, at whose gate the miracle is located.

consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

From this reading The inhabitants are a mixed lot, as they include, besides the regular hash of Moslems, Christians, and Jews, a colony of Egyptians brought here by Ibrahim Pasha.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

plural of “moslem” — a believer in or follower of Islam

From this reading The inhabitants are a mixed lot, as they include, besides the regular hash of Moslems, Christians, and Jews, a colony of Egyptians brought here by Ibrahim Pasha.

attach to a support

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading A RIDE of less than an hour from Endor takes us to Nain, the “City” of Christ’s time, but now a small village.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

on one occasion

From this reading The ruins show that the place was once important, and the guides point out the old cemetery, at whose gate the miracle is located.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The ruins show that the place was once important, and the guides point out the old cemetery, at whose gate the miracle is located.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

A stiff, flat, thin material made from the prepared skin of an animal, used for writing.

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

a civil or military authority in Turkey or Egypt

From this reading The inhabitants are a mixed lot, as they include, besides the regular hash of Moslems, Christians, and Jews, a colony of Egyptians brought here by Ibrahim Pasha.

go across or through

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

plural of “philistine” — a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

plural of “pitcher” — (baseball) the person who does the pitching

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The ruins show that the place was once important, and the guides point out the old cemetery, at whose gate the miracle is located.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading The ruins show that the place was once important, and the guides point out the old cemetery, at whose gate the miracle is located.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

producing or capable of producing (especially abundantly)

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading The inhabitants are a mixed lot, as they include, besides the regular hash of Moslems, Christians, and Jews, a colony of Egyptians brought here by Ibrahim Pasha.

concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading A RIDE of less than an hour from Endor takes us to Nain, the “City” of Christ’s time, but now a small village.

plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

plural of “samaritan” — a member of the people inhabiting Samaria in biblical times

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

the place where some action occurs

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

lacking or characterized by lack of ambition or initiative; lazy

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The ruins show that the place was once important, and the guides point out the old cemetery, at whose gate the miracle is located.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A RIDE of less than an hour from Endor takes us to Nain, the “City” of Christ’s time, but now a small village.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

the process of becoming spoiled

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

an elaborate and systematic plan of action

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

plural of “syrian” — a native or inhabitant of Syria

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property

From this reading A RIDE of less than an hour from Endor takes us to Nain, the “City” of Christ’s time, but now a small village.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading A RIDE of less than an hour from Endor takes us to Nain, the “City” of Christ’s time, but now a small village.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The ruins show that the place was once important, and the guides point out the old cemetery, at whose gate the miracle is located.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The inhabitants are a mixed lot, as they include, besides the regular hash of Moslems, Christians, and Jews, a colony of Egyptians brought here by Ibrahim Pasha.

being five more than thirty

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading A RIDE of less than an hour from Endor takes us to Nain, the “City” of Christ’s time, but now a small village.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading A RIDE of less than an hour from Endor takes us to Nain, the “City” of Christ’s time, but now a small village.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

a place for the burial of a corpse (especially beneath the ground and marked by a tombstone)

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

plural of “torch” — a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator)

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

plural of “turk” — a native or inhabitant of Turkey

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A RIDE of less than an hour from Endor takes us to Nain, the “City” of Christ’s time, but now a small village.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading A RIDE of less than an hour from Endor takes us to Nain, the “City” of Christ’s time, but now a small village.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The ruins show that the place was once important, and the guides point out the old cemetery, at whose gate the miracle is located.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading _The City of Nain--“Spoiling the Egyptians”--Ruins of an old Philistine City--Curious Strategy--The Torches in Pitchers--Kleber and the Turks--Ahab’s Palace--Tropical Picture--A Crusader’s Church--More “Backsheesh”--The Samaritans of To-day--The Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Cursings--A Despised People--A Strange Religious Belief--A Parchment Thirty-five Centuries Old--Jacob’s Well--Its Present Appearance--The Tomb of Joseph--The Scene of Jacob’s Dream--The Philistines’ Raid._

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading As we ride on, we pass the valley of Jezreel, a fertile spot, which might be made productive in the hands of some other people than these lazy, shiftless Syrians.

belonging to which person

From this reading The ruins show that the place was once important, and the guides point out the old cemetery, at whose gate the miracle is located.